Public Observation

Observation Details

Observations

Went to Matterhorn area. One other group in area. Trace of snow at trailhead. 3-4" of fresh light dry over refrozen melt freeze crust at 8,000ft. Alpine held great skiing with 7-12" in sheltered features. Hasty hand shear tests produced very easy to easy results down 10-15" below the storm slab (1F density at its base) and the previous surface (melt freeze crust) in the climbers left side of the Matterhorn West Couloir. The climbers right side looked thinner over debris and a small tunnel. The top looked very loaded. Matterhorn East Couloir was rocks and refrozen sastrugis. Other group of 3 from Mammoth (guides?) reported great skiing with up to 2.5 ft of loading in Ski Dreams but did not test the bond between the storm slab and the previous surface. Excellent ski quality in lower alpine and upper treeline sheltered features.

Signs of Unstable Snow